Baker orders state reviews of proposed natural gas station

Baker orders state reviews of proposed natural gas station

Jul. 17, 2017

BOSTON (AP) — Republican Gov. Charlie Baker is ordering multiple reviews by state agencies of a contested natural gas compression station proposed along the Fore River in Weymouth.

Local residents and lawmakers have raised a number of public health and safety concerns about the 7,700-horsepower facility, part of a so-called Atlantic Bridge project to expand a natural gas pipeline into eastern Canada.

In a letter to Weymouth Mayor Robert Hedlund on Monday, Baker wrote that he has asked state public health and environmental agencies to assess potential air quality impacts of the proposed compressor station.

The governor has also ordered public safety and climate resiliency reviews.

Baker noted the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission might have the final say on the project.